Dutch Apologize for Colonial Killings in IndonesiaPosted on October 31st, 2016

By NINIEK KARMINI 13 September 2013

A 1968 Dutch report acknowledged violent excesses” in Indonesia but argued that Dutch troops were conducting a police action” often incited by guerrilla warfare and terror attacks. The Dutch government has never prosecuted any soldiers for the killings despite a UN report condemning the attack as deliberate and ruthless” as early as 1948.

JAKARTA — The Netherlands formally apologized Thursday for mass killings committed by the Dutch military more than six decades ago in Indonesia during its former colony’s fight for independence.

On behalf of the Dutch government, I apologize for these excesses. Today I also apologize to the widows from Bulukumba, Pinrang, Polewali Mandar and Parepare,” Dutch Ambassador Tjeerd de Zwaan said, referring to the districts in South Sulawesi where the Dutch troops, then led by Capt. Raymond Westerling, waged a counterinsurgency operation from 1946 to 1947.

De Zwaan said his government has agreed to compensate the victims’ widows in Sulawesi and Rawagede, who turned to the Dutch courts seeking retribution. Rawagede, a small village in West Java, was the scene of the Dec. 9, 1947, killing of up to 430 boys and young men by Dutch troops.

Some of the victims’ surviving family members attended the ceremony. Ten widows from South Sulawesi—now in their 80s and 90s—sued the Dutch government, and a court there ruled that it must award 20,000 euros ($26,600) to each of the claimants.

Embassy spokesman Nicolaas Schermers said other widows with similar cases can now apply for compensation directly to the government instead of going through the court.

De Zwaan had previously apologized to victims’ relatives during a visit to Rawagede in 2011, after an earlier court ruling ordered the Netherlands to give each of those 10 surviving widows the same amount in compensation.

In his speech at the Dutch Embassy in Jakarta, which was meant as a more general apology for all war atrocities, the ambassador said the violence claimed many innocent victims on both sides and resulted in suffering that is still felt today.

The Dutch government hopes that this apology will help close a difficult chapter for those whose lives were impacted so directly by the violent excesses that took place between 1945 and 1949,” he said.

Indonesia’s presidential office declined to comment, referring queries to the Foreign Ministry. It did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Indonesia declared its independence from Dutch colonial rule on Aug. 17, 1945, but the Netherlands refused to acknowledge it and fought unsuccessfully to maintain control of the lucrative Asian outpost. It finally recognized the country as an independent nation in 1949.

Indonesian authorities claim some 40,000 people were killed during the operation, while most Dutch historians estimate the dead at about 1,500.

A 1968 Dutch report acknowledged violent excesses” in Indonesia but argued that Dutch troops were conducting a police action” often incited by guerrilla warfare and terror attacks. The Dutch government has never prosecuted any soldiers for the killings despite a UN report condemning the attack as deliberate and ruthless” as early as 1948.

De Zwaan was scheduled to travel to South Sulawesi next week to meet directly with some of the surviving widows who were too weak due to their age to attend Thursday’s event.

None of the relatives attending the ceremony agreed to speak to speak to the press.

One Response to “Dutch Apologize for Colonial Killings in Indonesia”

The dutch rascals should apologise to the Sinhalese for destroying Sri Lanka by bringing in tamils from tn to
work in tobacco plantations. The traitor lot have become natives of Sri Lanka after a few hundred years now
and demand Sinhalese blood, half the country. To make matters worse the traitor lot are hell bent on destroying
Sri Lanka and the Sinhalese nationally and internationally after claiming bogus asylums in the developed countries. The dutch rascals
done irreparable damage to Sri Lanka. It is a worst crime than killing people since the cycle of violence never going
to end and destroy a country for good.

Leave a Reply

Disclaimer: The comments contained within this website are personal reflection only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the LankaWeb. LankaWeb.com offers the contents of this website without charge, but does not necessarily endorse the views and opinions expressed within. Neither the LankaWeb nor the individual authors of any material on this Web site accept responsibility for any loss or damage, however caused (including through negligence), which you may directly or indirectly suffer arising out of your use of or reliance on information contained on or accessed through this Web site.
All views and opinions presented in this article are solely those of the surfer and do not necessarily represent those of LankaWeb.com.

This entry was posted
on Monday, October 31st, 2016.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can skip to the end and leave a response.